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put a quarter-round on the bindings (see my thread on the main board) using a fine file and sandpaper. Decided to forego the router setup. It's amazing how much more finished the guitar looks with the binding edges rounded over. Very slick!

Great work so far. I hope that bit of purfling comes out nicely. I had an issue with some purfling on my first OM. The purfs on the side broke as I bent them into place. I didn't think anything of it until I started scraping them flush. That's when the break revealed itself at the surface and I had two small gaps. I filled them with wedge shaped pieces and the repair ended up beind invisible, but it was one of those moments when you learn yet another thing that can go wrong with a build that you had never thought of!

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PMoMC

I have nothing to worry about, Tony. My pet billy goat will nibble that little piece of purfling flush--no need to sand.

Got my new Simpson neck jig in the mail yesterday. Guess I better get it broken in!!! I had a slight problem with adjusting the "squareness" of the jig so my mortise is off by a few thou. I'm going to shim it and re-cut it tomorrow to get it perfectly straight up and down. Sure makes a pretty cut, tho!

Starting to resemble a guitar!

Always nice when the neck finally gets hooked to the body

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I like how you ran the herringbone purfling in one direction instead of bookmatching it. Looks great with the rosette.

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

Haven't checked in lately, but I've been working. I've started finishing using my trusty Tru-Oil. The finish is starting to build nicely...

Gorgeous, Jay!

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

Lookin great - love the top!

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Wow, the tru oil is sure doing it justice.

Like Mr. Miyagi say... wax on, wax off. I've been after the finish with olive oil and micromesh, and then Meguiar's auto polishing compound. I still need to work on a few "problem" areas, but the finish is starting to look pretty good.



and last, I know this will cost me in the overall voting, but this guitar is a gift for a close friend. Instead of me butchering a name inlay at the 12th fret, I had Andy Birko of Birkonium, Inc. (CNC guru, and board member here) cut the inlay and pocket for the 11th/12th fret name. I will do the remainder of the fretboard inlay and purfling. The guitar is a surprise, so please don't spoil it if you happen to know John.

That is looking fantastic! It's gonna be one hell of a guitar. Makes me want to build a parlor now

Got up early and cut the inlay pockets in the fretboard this morning. I still need to add the 1mm Pau Ferro purfling on the fretboard. You can see the channel in the pictures. It's starting to resemble a guitar. I will stain the Brazilian RW bridge black to match the ebony fretboard. Every day it gets closer....

Looking good jay! Those inlays look fantastic. Are you standing on the table in that last pic? Hahaha

Beautiful guitar! I didn't realize how small it was until I saw that last picture - it doesn't look much bigger than mine.

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"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso

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And now the fretboard with the Pau Ferro purfling installed and sanded thru 320 grit. Looking better now!

Very nice fretboard jay! I'm really liking this parlor. Really clean work.

Mate, I'll not hold your use of Birkonium against you. In my opinion, it's a sensible manoeuver.

If I was to try and cut out that inlay work, I'd still be on the first half of the J when this comp winds up....

Much like Tony, I specialise in oddly shaped chunks and strangely sheared non-geometric patterns.....With the odd broken straight bit included......

I'd have to say that the results you are getting with the rest of the build are more than enough to justify you finishing quite high indeed...

Cheers

Jay, that is one killer-looking parlor. Parlors are my favs, and I also love Bearclaw. John's a lucky guy, and you are one talented "Newbie".

Well, it can't all be sunshine and roses with this hobby, right? I have been long overdue for a good bungle. I have had several minor problems with this neck (of my own making), and it finally decided to throw in the towel. First, the headstock angle was off slightly--no problem, it'll work. Next, the truss rod slot was less than perfect--worked around that one, too. This bungle has this neck destined for a guitar that I am building that shall be known as the "test mule" and will be labeled accordingly. It will be built from scorched sides, this neck, and a blem top. I'm working on an "Old #7" label for the inside. Here's where the neck met it's demise....

Got to try my new Birkonium headstock template. I used a pattern making bit, and trimmed the outside of the heastock with no issues.


Then I used the new Stew Mac 3-on-a-plate tuner jig to ensure perfect tuner spacing. I've always done these freehand in the past, and it has shown up in tiny misalignments. I figured the jig would solve it and it did.


However, my plan to use a 1/4" downcut spiral bit with the shank riding on the inside of the slots kinda "blew up in my face" as it were. The template, and subsequently the heastock were ruined (or at least unusable for this build)...


So, time to order some more neck blanks and start over!! #@O)(#$!

--Jaybird

Bummer, Jaybird. Is there no saving it? Maybe filling and gluing on another thin head plate?

Truly a drag but it happens to all of us. In my experience it always feels good when I break down and redo a part that just can't be fixed. The box is really nice and will no doubt be worth the extra effort.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Sorry to hear that, Jay

Possibly would it be better, in the future, to drill/chisel out the majority of the slots and then use the pattern bit to clean up the sides? That way you aren't plunging into solid material and there will be less of a chance for destruction.

Ouch, I have several necks in the bin. They come in handy for spraying nitro:)

Probably won't come good for a slot head, but dowel up the holes. Clean off the headplate, put new ones front and back, and you've got a perfectly good 3 a side headstock.

Don't chuck it....

What a drag, but....